Business

Image copyright Getty Images More than 100 global organisations are calling for debt payments of developing countries to be dropped this year. These countries include the world’s poorest economies which are struggling with the impacts of coronavirus. Major charities including Oxfam and ActionAid International are asking for the debt relief which would free up more […]

Image copyright Getty Images More than 250 trades unions and environment groups have signed an open letter opposing plans for bailing out the aviation industry. The letter to governments demands that any bailouts lead to better labour conditions and a cut in emissions. They say aviation should make changes already evident in other sectors amid

Image copyright Getty Images The cost of petrol in the UK is approaching £1 a litre for the first time since 2016. Some filling stations around the country have even been reported offering petrol at less than £1. But motorists may be hard-pressed to find low deals as prices vary widely. Why are petrol prices

Image copyright Farrah Sharif When Farrah Sharif, 30, was told she would have to continue paying 80% of her two-year-old son’s nursery fees to hold his place in the coming months, she was confused. Like millions of other parents she had already taken him out of their East London nursery because of government guidelines, so

Image copyright Getty Images Worried Waitrose workers have warned that customers and staff are being put at risk during the coronavirus crisis. The firm expects staff to recover time they take off for sick family members. Its ‘time back’ system “will mean that some people will continue to show up for work,” putting people at

More than 40 governors around the country have told their residents to stay home in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, allowing only “essential” businesses to keep operating during the pandemic. But many employers are stretching the definition of “essential” and insisting on staying open ― and employees who are scared to show up

Image copyright AFP Debenhams will file for administration after the coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut its shops across the UK. It described the process as a “light touch” administration to protect it from legal action from creditors while its department stores are closed. Debenhams boss Stefaan Vansteenkiste said the circumstances of the decision were

Image copyright Getty Images Tenants must not presume the coronavirus outbreak is “a green light” to stop paying their rent, a landlords group has said. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said the government needed to be clearer about the support provided by landlords and lenders. Some groups have called for struggling tenants, and students

Image copyright Reuters Thousands of UK motorists have won the first stage of a High Court action against Volkswagen over the installation of emissions cheating devices in its diesel vehicles. It follows a preliminary hearing in December, when the court was asked whether software installed in the cars was a “defeat device” under EU rules.

Image copyright Frankie & Benny Image caption The Restaurant Group’s chains include Frankie & Benny’s, Wagamama, Coast to Coast and Chiquito More company bosses have agreed to take pay cuts, as firms continue to suspend thousands of staff and slash wages. Restaurant Group, whose chains include Wagamama and Garfunkel’s, said boss Andy Hornby would take